CALTAF Track and Field

Congratulations to the four JD athletes – Hanna, Kamila, Harrison and Mehrdad – who competed this past weekend as members of Team Alberta at the Western Canadian Midget and Youth Championships. Among them, these athletes produced some truly outstanding results.

Both the Alberta midgets (1998/1999) and youths (1996/1997) won their respective competitions, beating out Manitoba and Saskatchewan to capture both Championship trophies. All four JD athletes contributed greatly to the midget victory, with Mehrdad accumulating 46 points,Harrison 31 points, Hanna 25 points and Kamila 20 points. Well done athletes! You certainly impressed the Team Alberta coaches with your results and contributions.

Kamila won the gold medals in both the 1200m and 2000m. In the 1200m, Kamila finished 1^st of nine athletes in a -1.28s personal best3:41.60s. In the 2000m, Kamila finished 1^st of three athletes in 6:37.28s. Kamila is now ranked 1^st in the province in the 1200m, and 2^ndin the province in the 2000m. Kamila’s results are even more impressive when you consider that she is still a first-year (1999) midget, who was competing against older, 1998 athletes. Congratulations Kamila! Outstanding results! Good luck at Legion Nationals!

First-year midget Mehrdad accumulated an impressive five medals at this tri-province meet. In the 200m hurdles, Mehrdad finished 1^st of four athletes just off his provincial record time in 26.22s to win the gold medal. In the 100m hurdles, Mehrdad ran a personal best 14.48s to qualify 2^nd of eight athletes for the final. In the final, Mehrdad again ran 14.48s to win the silver medal. In only his second pole vault competition, Mehrdad cleared a +35cm personal best height of 2.60m to win the silver medal. In the triple jump, Mehrdad added another 33cm to his PB, clearing 11.28m to win the silver medal. Mehrdad anchored one of the two Team Alberta 4x100m relay teams, and his team finished 2^nd of six teams in 46.88s. Mehrdad is now ranked 1^st in the province in both the 200m hurdles and pole vault, and 2^nd in the province in the 100m hurdles and triple jump. One gold and four silver medals – very impressive! Well done Mehrdad! Good luck at Legion Nationals!

Hanna also enjoyed an outstanding weekend, capturing  gold and silver medals. In the hammer throw, Hanna placed 1^st of three athletes with a 34.99m throw. In the discus, Hanna’s 25.76m throw placed her 2^nd place amongst six athletes and earned her the silver medal. In the shot put, Hanna placed 5^th, adding another six points to her 25-point contribution to Team Alberta’s total. Hanna is now ranked 1^st in the province in the hammer throw, 2^nd in the province in the discus, and 5^th in the province in shot put. Congratulations Hanna – outstanding results, especially for a first-year midget. Good luck at Legion Nationals!

Harrison’s 200m hurdle race was a closely fought event, with Harrison finishing 3^rd of four athletes and capturing the bronze medal in a -.13s personal best 27.04s. Harrison also ran the second leg for one of the two Team Alberta 4x100m relay teams, and I do not think I have ever seen Harrison run so fast – he flew along the back stretch! He made up the stagger on three teams and allowed his team to finish 2^nd of six teams in 46.88s and win the silver medal. In the medley relay (400m-200m-200m-800m), Harrison ran the 3^rd leg for second Team Alberta team, and again Harrison ran a very strong leg, helping his team to place 2^nd of seven teams and capture the silver medal. Harrison also contributed five points with his 6^th place finish in the 100m hurdles. Harrison is now ranked 2^nd in the province in the 200m hurdles and 4^th in the province in the 100m hurdles. Two silvers and a bronze medal as a member of Team Alberta – well doneHarrison! Good luck at Legion Nationals!

What impressive results! Four athletes, 4 gold medals, 7 silver medals, 1 bronze medal and a contribution of 112 points towards the Team Alberta midget victory! Wow! Congratulations to you all! You should be very proud of your results and Team Alberta contribution. Well done!

Robin